"Trust and Obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, then to trust and obey". I have had these lyrics from the old hymn on my mind over the last couple of months. Those two words encompass so much of who we are and what we are about. We are children of God, justified through Christ and heir to his many precious promises. We have in us the Holy Spirit who gives strength and grace to obey all we are called to do. Yet, it is so difficult to surrender everything and trust and obey.
Matthew Henry in His commentary on Matthew 5 talks about what it means to be poor in spirit. "This poverty of spirit is a gracious disposition of soul, by which we are emptied of self, in order to our being filled with Jesus Christ." The closer I get to the Lord, the more I realize I have yet to empty and surrender to Him. I cling to so much still in this world - my reputation, safety, family, security, material things.
George Mueller says, "I was converted in November, 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later in July, 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else."
That is the emptying of self that I want my life to be - totally surrendered to our Lord and Saviour. That those things in the world will grow dim as I delight in Him. That I would be able to Trust and Obey in all circumstances no matter the cost.
I see our great Lord working in my life to help me surrender these things to Him. I submit today to this work though it may be hard. I ask that He would burn away those things in me that cannot be used for His glory. That I would be able to come before His and simply trust and obey.
